By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 9 April 2014 at 12:00 am
WATERPORT – The longest county-owned bridge will shut down next month so it can be repaired, a project that could take five months, County Highway Superintendent Jerry Gray said.
The bridge on Route 279 stretches 700 feet across Lake Alice and the Oak Orchard Creek. Many of the concrete box beams that support the bridge are badly deteriorated and will need to be replaced. Gray also said the bridge will get a new surface with concrete, rubber membrane and blacktop.
The entire project is estimated to cost about $1.7 million. The county will open bids from contractors later this month and the work should start in May.
The federal government is paying 80 percent of the project with the state paying 15 percent the county covering the remaining 5 percent.
A detour will be posted as soon as construction gets started, Gray said.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 April 2014 at 12:00 am
Agency honors businesses and workers at banquet
File photo by Tom Rivers – State Assemblyman Steve Hawley addressed supporters of The Arc of Orleans County in June when quad-amputee John Robinson visited as part of his bike ride across the Erie Canal. Hawley was named winner of the Arc’s “Best Friend Award” on Friday.
Press release, Arc of Orleans
HOLLEY – The Arc of Orleans County named Steve Hawley the winner of the agency’s “Best Friend” award on Friday during its annual awards banquet.
Hawley, the area’s state assemblyman, fought to restore state funding for the agency after the governor’s budget proposed a 6 percent or $308,000 cut.
He has been a supporter for The Arc personally as a sponsor of the Arc’s annual golf tournament, and Hawley attends numerous Arc events. His father, R. Stephen Hawley, won the “Best Friend” award when he was assemblyman in 1982.
The Arc honored businesses and Arc consumers during the banquet on Friday. The following received awards:
Della’s Chocolates in Medina, Business Partnership Award
This honor is presented to a business that works in partnership with The Arc’s Vocational Services department to assist people with disabilities in achieving their work related goals.
Della’s owner Susan Fuller did not hesitate when asked to take part in the ETP program, and was more than willing to give Jen Haberger a chance to prove her abilities. Sue was patient and understanding as she trained Jen on many different job tasks and later made her a full-time employee.
Stanton Signs of Medina, Heritage Award
The Heritage Award was developed to honor a business or organization that consistently assists The Arc, and the people we serve, in achieving our mission.
Stanton Signs co-owners Greg and Barbara Stanton have partnered with The Arc for many years.
They have a provided their services to support the many fund-raising activities the Agency holds. They designed the shirt logo for the annual 5K for many years. They also update the corporate banner and the golf signs for our annual Golf Tournament, often on a moment’s notice. They most recently worked with Eagle Scout Matt Prawel to create and install a beautiful new sign at the entrance of Camp Rainbow.
Duane Smith, Orleans Enterprises Worker of the Year
Duane Smith began at Orleans Enterprises in 1988. He starts his day by giving staff a smile, a handshake, and a “You’re cute.” He has worked on a variety of piece-rated tasks. He is well liked by his co-workers and staff and is a great asset to Orleans Enterprises.
Brian McAvoy, Orleans Enterprises Worker of the Year
Brian McAvoy has been named the Orleans Enterprises Worker of the year due to his outstanding dedication to the workshop.
Brian comes in to work each day and displays a positive attitude and willingness to try any job that is put in front of him. His great work ethic, excellent attendance record, and optimistic outlook are qualities and values are qualities that other workers aspire to achieve.
Kurt Hoffman, Community Service Award
With a winning smile, a willing spirit and positive attitude Kurt touches many through hours of service each week. Born with Down syndrome, a heart defect, speech, physical, and visual impairments, Kurt has overcome many obstacles. Kurt works 15 hours each week performing various tasks and services for local organizations. He regularly vacuums at Della’s Chocolate, St. Mary’s and St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Medina.
Joe Barchet, Self-Advocate of the Year
Joe Barchet is an active member of the Self Advocate All Stars. More importantly he is a true Self Advocate for his rights, wants, and needs, and those around him. One of Joe’s goals was to live on his own in the community. When Joe was in his early 20’s, he moved from his parents home to the original “co-ed” IRA, with 24/7 supervision. Joe then moved to another home where he had more independence and “supported” supervision and then into a supportive apartment on his own.
Joe is also a hard worker, working in the past at Orleans Enterprises and then with the mobile cleaning crew. Joe worked at Associated Brands for several years before being accepted into the internship program through Supported Employment that connected him with Fisher’s News Stand, Medina YMCA, and Albion Redemption Center. He has worked hard to advance himself to his current position of regular employee at Albion Redemption Center.
Cecelia Robison, Mobile Crew Worker of the Year
Cecelia Robison has been with The Arc of Orleans County Supported Employment Program since 1984. She works on the Medina Mobile Crew. Cece knows what is expected of her and always strives to do her job to the best of her ability and will assist her supervisor and co-workers when needed.
Jennifer Haberger, Community Worker of the Year
Jennifer Haberger worked diligently with the Job Developer on work skills that she would need to be successful in the community. Jen was placed at Della’s Chocolate, where she started out by learning to package the candy.
Sue Fuller, the owner of Della’s has been a wonderful employer, and this has been a great asset towards Jen’s success. Jen was placed there on a trial basis with hopes that she would be able to become a permanent employee. Jen worked hard to achieve this. Her productivity was great and she was always willing to learn new job duties.
Sandy Marchesoni, Enclave Worker of the Year
Sandy Marchesoni has worked at the Ford Gum enclave since June 2011. Sandy has a firm grasp of what is expected of her at work and is always willing to do any job tasks assigned to her. Sandy will assist her co-workers when needed and is an asset to new staff when they cover the enclave. She also helps out at Orleans Enterprises when they are in need of extra help. Sandy is a role model when it comes to having excellent attendance as well as her exceptional work ethic.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 April 2014 at 12:00 am
However, residents will now pay separate fire tax
Editor’s note: This article was updated to clarify the fire district isn’t part of the village budget.
HOLLEY – Village residents would pay the same $13.94 tax rate in Holley, according to a preliminary 2014-15 budget that will be voted on 7 p.m. Friday at the Village Hall.
However, the budget doesn’t include the Holley Fire Department expenses. The fire department for the first time is part of the Joint Holley Fire District. The fire district added a $1.61 rate to the tax bill for village residents. However, that isn’t part of the village budget. The fire protection bill went out in January and was part of the tax bill for town of Murray residents.
The village budget proposal totals $1,162,680 for the general fund, which is up $36,006 or 3.2 percent from the $1,126,674 in 2013-14.
The village saw its overall assessed value jump by 4.2 percent, a change from $52.25 million to $54.43 million. That helped keep the proposed tax rate a $13.94 despite a growth in the tax levy from $728,339 to $758,473, a 4.1 percent increase or another $30,134 that will be collected in taxes.
The budget sets the salaries for the four village trustees at $4,500 each while Mayor John Kenney is paid $7,900.
The meeting Friday includes a public hearing at 7 p.m. for residents to ask questions or comment about the budget.
Photo courtesy of Chris Busch – Newly inducted 2014 members of the Medina High School Arista Chapter of the National Honor Society stand with outgoing senior members Thursday evening following induction ceremonies in the Frederick E. Snyder Auditorium at MHS. The society welcomed 34 new members.
By Chris Busch
MEDINA – The Medina High School Arista Chapter of the National Honor Society held their annual ceremony for the induction of new members Thursday evening. The ceremony was held in Frederick E. Snyder Auditorium at MHS. In all, 34 new members were inducted in front of proud family members, teachers and administration.
A keynote address was delivered by James Simon, Associate Dean of Genesee Community College for the Medina and Albion campus centers. The new Honor Society members were introduced by MHS Administrators Mark Kruzynski and Michael Cavanagh.
In the 1920’s, the Arista Club was an exclusive scholarship club at Medina High School. Members were selected based on grade point average, and formal recommendations. When Medina decided to chart its own chapter of the National Honor Society in 1964, Medina administration decided to honor the spirit and traditions of the existing club, and the Arista Chapter of the National Honor Society was born.
2014 students invited for membership include Bailey Allen, Emma Ambrose, Briana Bellan, Bryce Bellan, Madeline Bilicki, Anna Blount, Nicole Blount, Brian Bogan, Julia Brien, Austin Brown, Samuel Busch, Victoria Carter, Matthew Cochrane, Laura Dunham, Aaron Feltz, Jason Hellwig, Adam Hoot, Christopher Keller, Jenna Kickbush, Chantelle Kidney, Rubi Luna Mondragon, Alexandra Markle, Amanda McCauley, Krista Nellist, Alexander O’Keefe, Austin Owens, Maxwell Owens, Nathan Pace, Jacob Roeseler, Brittany Schultz, Samuel Simms, Regan Stacey, Tessa White and Addison Zavitz.
Medina High School National Honor Society faculty advisor is Mrs. Karen Jones.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 April 2014 at 12:00 am
Provided photo – Kerri (McKenna) Richardson was active in 4-H and showing cattle while growing up in Barre. The Albion graduate will be working as the instructor of the Agri-Business Academy at the Batavia Career and Technical Education Center.
BATAVIA – An Albion native has been appointed instructor of the new Agri-Business Academy at the Batavia Career and Technical Education Center.
Kerri (McKenna) Richardson had most recently been working as community educator for the Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension.
She grew up in Barre and worked with her parents, George and Iva, at Country Lane Veterinary Services. Richardson also showed animals at local, regional and state fairs. She won the grand master showman award at the Orleans County Fair and also won the Junior Miss title.
She earned a master’s degree from Cornell University in agricultural education. In her new role she will connect students in the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership to opportunities in agriculture.
“The Genesee County area has an impressive, welcoming agricultural community that provides youth with a plethora of opportunities,” Richardson said. “I am excited begin my career as an instructor of the Agri-Business Academy and provide students with the opportunity to explore and delve into the agricultural community through experiences in agri-businesses.”
The Agri-Business Academy will start this fall. It will be available to students at the Batavia Career and Technical Education Center. The Agri-Business Academy is a one-year partnership program between the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership and Genesee Community College. This college prep program is geared toward highly motivated high school seniors interested in investigating careers in the agri-business field.
Students will explore multidisciplinary professions through meetings with career guest speakers, in conjunction with job shadows and field trips at a variety of agricultural and business locations. Food management science, environmental science, global position systems technology, power machinery, international trade, or agri-tourism, are a few of the areas that will be studied.
At the completion of this one-year program, students will earn 12 SUNY college credits. The credit hour cost for academy students is $50, which is one third of the regular GCC tuition rate.
The Batavia Career and Technical Education Center is a program of the Genesee Valley Educational Partnership. The Partnership operates as a Board of Cooperative Educational Services providing shared programs and services to 22 component school districts located in Genesee, Wyoming, Livingston and Steuben counties.
Applications are now being accepted for this program. If you know of a student who might be interested in this program, please contact Richardson at krichardson3@gvboces.org or 585-344-7711 ext 2140 or Catherine Bennett at cbennett2@gvboces.org or 585-344-7773.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 April 2014 at 12:00 am
Photo by Tom Rivers
ALBION – It’s been raining a lot this morning, which follows a lot of rain on Monday.
I don’t think the farmers will be out planting corn and other crops anytime soon. The top photo shows a flooded field on Clarendon Road in Albion.
The wet fields are also keeping local baseball and softball teams indoors.
Today is forecast to reach a high of 44, followed by a high of 46 on Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service. It will be partly sunny on Wednesday.
The temperature is supposed to climb to 55 on Thursday with a chance for more showers.
ALBION – The Arc of Orleans has received a $10,000 grant from the NYSARC Trust Services Board for recreational opportunities for people they support.
Last year The Arc received a similar grant from NYSARC Trust Services. Sixty-four individuals with developmental or other disabilities benefited from the 2013 funding. They were able to participate in many great activities they normally wouldn’t have been able to without the NYSARC Trust Recreation Grant.
They attended the Ringling Brothers Circus, Monster Jam, a Buffalo Bills Game, several movies, and eight individuals enjoyed a gym membership for three months. The grant also paid for outings to a Rochester Amerks Game, Stokee Farms, the Lucille Ball Museum, Hamburg Lights, and Rochester Museum & Science Center.
Arc consumers also attended a showing of The Grinch, Polar Express and The Wizard of Oz. They ended the year with a holiday celebration at the Historic Tillman’s Inn. The Arc of Orleans County plans to use the funds in the same fashion this year.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 April 2014 at 12:00 am
HOLLEY – The Village of Holley seeks volunteers to help pick up trash along the canal on April 26, about a week before the historic waterway opens for its 190th season.
The village is hosting the “Canal Clean Sweep” from 9 a.m. to noon at the Canal Park on East Avenue. Pawlak’s Save A-Lot is sponsoring the event.
This will be the eighth Canal Sweep state-wide along the canal. The state Canal Corp. is partnering with Parks & Trails New York, and the state Environmental Facilities Corporation for the initiative.
For more information about the cleanup event in Holley, contact Village Clerk Jane Murray at 585-638-6367 x102 or Village Trustee David Dill at 585-943-9188 or dilldavid7@aol.com.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 April 2014 at 12:00 am
MEDINA – As a plan for dissolving the village of Medina nears completion, a new “One Medina” movement is set to launch.
“One Medina” will be led by attorney Nathan Pace. He was chairman of the Medina-Ridgeway-Shelby Study Committee in 2010 and 2011. The group recommended the towns of Shelby and Ridgeway merge and the village dissolve to become one government.
That Pace-led committee saw a 30 percent reduction in taxes for the three governments if they became one entity.
The current village dissolution plan forecast about $1 million in reduction of the local tax burden by dissolving the village and passing its services to the two towns and local development corporations. Those numbers will be presented in more detail on Thursday.
Pace and Medina Mayor Andrew Meier see more savings if the two towns pursue a merger if the village dissolves. That would reduce the cost for delivering government services and also attract state incentives. Both would reduce a tax burden that is a disincentive to attracting residents, businesses and investment, Meier said.
The committee working on a dissolution plan for the village of Medina expects to have numbers on Thursday that will show the impact on taxes for people who live in the village and those who are outside in the towns of Shelby and Ridgeway.
That data will be discussed during an 8 a.m. meeting at City Hall. The dissolution plan is expected to be voted on by the committee. It will then go to the Village Board. Ultimately, for the dissolution to take effect it will need approval from village residents in a public vote.
Meier will hold a press conference Thursday at 12:30 p.m. He will be joined at City Hall by Pace and Don Colquhoun, chairman of the dissolution committee.
Officials from the two towns have Facebook pages and also a web site about the village dissolution. They call their web site, 2towns4thepeople.com.
By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 8 April 2014 at 12:00 am
In some Erie County schools, more than a quarter of students didn’t take recent standardized tests because their parents decided to have their children opt out of taking the exams.
It’s part of a growing protest by parents against Common Core testing. But in the Albion school district, only a few students didn’t take the tests. There are about 800 students in grades 3 through 8 at Albion. About 10 had parents who chose to have the children opt out of taking the tests, said Michael Bonnewell, district superintendent.
That’s about 1 percent of the eligible students in Albion. That compares to West Seneca, where 27 percent of the district’s 3,087 children in third through eighth grades didn’t take the reading tests because they’re parents decided to opt out, according to The Buffalo News.
Parents can keep their children home during testing days, which are spread over 12 days. That would count as 12 absences. Or students can go to school and sit quietly with the untouched test in front of them.
The “sit and stare” has sparked controversy in Western New York. In Albion, middle schoolers who opted out of the tests went to a room separate from their classrooms, Principal Dan Monacelli told the Board of Education on Monday.
Elementary students who opted out stayed with their classrooms during testing, said Principal Rachel Curtin.
The Common Core testing debuted last year and only about a third of students in NY reached or exceeded proficiency levels for math and reading.
Those tests were implemented at a time with new “Race to the Top” testing requirements from the federal government and also new teacher evaluations from the state.
Parents are protesting all of the changes and pressures on students and teachers.
“They are trying to change too many things all at once,” Bonnewell told the board about the new testing and evaluation requirements. “That is three major changes all at once.”
